Turn-table.



L. J. SLEPH,

TURN TABLE.

ARPLIOATION FILED JAN. 24, 1910.

Patented Aug. 16, 1910.

4 SHBBTSSHBET 1.

,rHs NORRIS PETERS 00.. WASHINGTON, 0. c4

L. J SLEPE.

TURN TABLE.

THE NORRIS PETERS c0, WASHINGTON, b. c.

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TURN TABLE.

, APPLICATION FILED 1,111.24, 1910.

. Patented Aug. 16, 1910.

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L. J. SLEPH.

TURN TABLE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 24, 1910.

Patented Aug. 16, 1910.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

TH: NORRIS PETERS co., WASHINGTON, n. c.

LOUIS J. SLEPI-I, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

TURN-TABLE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed January 24, 1910.

Patented Aug. 16, 1910.

Serial No. 539,734.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LOUIS J. SLEPH, a citizen of the United States, andresiding at Chicago, county of Cook, and State of Illinois, haveinvented new and useful Improvements in Turn-Tables, of which thefollowing is a specification.

My invention relates to turn tables particularly adapted for turningvehicles such as automobiles.

In garages which have limited floor space or which at times becomecrowded it is difficult to turn vehicles in the natural way, but bymeans of a turn table they can be readily turned within a very smallspace.

Among the salient objects of my invention are to provide a simple,light, yet strong turntable which can readily be transported and whichcan quickly be set up for service; to provide a structure which isadaptable to be turned by hand or by power; to provide a structure whichcan be operated by power derived from the wheels of an automobile whenin place thereon; to provide a structure on to which a vehicle canreadily travel; to provide arrangement for confining the vehicle to thestructure during the turning operation; and in general to provide animproved device of the character referred to.

My invention is clearly described in the accompanying specification andshown on the following drawings: y

In these drawings: Figure l is a plan view of one form of turntable;Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken from plane 22 Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a planview of the center and one .end of a power driven table; Fig. 4 is asimilar view showing a modified form of power driven table; Fig. 5 is aside view, partly in central longitudinal section, of Fig. 1; Fig. 6 isan enlarged sectional view taken from plane 66 Fig. 3; Fig. 7 is anenlarged sectional view taken from plane 77 F 3, and Fig. 8 is anenlarged sectional view taken from plane 8-8 Fig. 3.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the stationary part of the structurecomprises a central pivot block 1, and inner and outer track circles 2and 3 respectively, concentric with the pivot block, the block andcircles resting on the floor. The pivot block supports a vertical pivotpin 4. The superstructure comprises two track beams 5 and 6, preferablyin the form of channels, connected and braced by end transverse bars 7and 8 and-a central transverse bar 9, also by cross rods 10. The centralbar 9 at its middle has a pivot opening 11 for receiving the pivot pinat and secured to the under side of the beams concentric with the pivotopening, are flat rings 12 and 13 of the same diameters as track rings 2and 3 respectively. Secured to the inner ring 12 are a plurality ofcaster frames 14 journaling caster wheels 15 for engaging the innertrack ring 2, and supported from the outer ring 13 are caster frames 16journaling casters 17 for engaging the outer track ring 3. The ends ofthe beams are deflected downwardly and flared laterally to form approachinclines 18 from the floor to the channels, and the flanges of the beamsmay be reinforced by angle'bars 19 secured at one of their flanges tothe beam flanges with their other flanges extending laterally inwardlyover the beam flange edges. These angle bars also serve to hold thevehicle wheels in the channels. The vehicle can readily travel on to thesuperstructure by means of the inclines and when in central positionthereon, the superstructure is turned any angle desired whereupon thevehicle can readily leave it. The superstructure being mounted oncasters rolling over smooth tracks, can be turned with little. effort.The entire structure is very" light and can be readily moved about andtransported.

Where heavy vehicles are to be turned mo tive power can be applied tothe superstructure. In Fig. 3 I have shown gearing mechanism foroperating the table,this mechanism being shown more in detail in Figs.6, 7 and 8. The track beams in this arrangement are rigidly connected bytransverse beams 20 and 21 which support a cross plate 22 to which isbolted the upper member 23 of a ball bearing structure, the member beingin the form of a wheel. The lower member 25 of the bearing structureengages the floor and is rigidly secured thereto. The flat rims 26 and27 of the upper and lower members respectively, have pocket bearing rims28 and 29 between which bearing balls 30 are confined. A central pivotstud 31 extends upwardly from the lower member and passes centrallythrough the upper member which is confined thereto by bolt 32. The lowermember has the vertical peripheral flange 33 in whose outer surface arecut gear teeth 34.

Ad'acent the transverse beams and 21, the ad itional transverse beamsand 36 connect between the track beams 5 and 6. Each of these beams 35and 36 carry centrally a depending bracket 37 providing a lowerhorizontal bearing head 38, and an inner vertical bearing head 39.Journaled in each head 39 is a shaft 40 whose upper end carries a pinion41 meshing with gear teeth 34, and whose lower end carries a bevel gear42 meshing with a bevel pinion 43 carried on the inner end of alongitudinal shaft 44 jour naled in the corresponding head 38.Connecting the track beams at each end thereof is a transverse beam 45carrying centrall a depending bracket 46 (Fig. 8) terminating in abearing head 47 for journaling the outer end of the corresponding shaft44 which carries outside of the bearing head a bevel gear 48. Dependingalso from the beam 45 are brackets 49 j ournaling a short shaft 50 whichcarries a plain gear 51 and a bevel pinion 51 meshing with bevel gear48. Above shaft 50 a shaft 52 extends between and beyond the trackbeams, being journaled in brackets 53 suspended from beam 45 and inbrackets 54 extending from the outer edges of the track beams. Thisshaft 52 carries a gear 55 meshing with gear 51. Rotation of shaft 52will be transmitted to the turn table through transmission traininvolving members 55 5150-5148-44-4342-40 and 41. The shaft 52 may beturned by a motor (not shown) connecting with gear 55, or can be turnedby power from the vehicle engine applied preferably by means of thevehicle drive wheels. For this purpose each shaft 52 rigidly supports atits ends friction drive rollers 55' and 56 which project upwardlythrough openings 57 and 58 in the beams 5 and '6 respectively. Adjacenteach shaft 52 is a parallel shaft 59 journaled in brackets 60 on thetrack beams and carrying rollers 61 and 62 projecting upwardly throughthe openings 57 and 58 respectively in line with the rollers 011 shaft52. The opposite pairs of rollers serve to receive the driving wheels 10of the vehicle as illustrated in Figs. 3, 5 and 7. When the wheels arein position rotation thereof is communicated through the various shaftsand gear trains to the turn table which will turn with the vehicle thereon. Adjacent one of the track beams, the shafts 52 and 59 carry ratchetwheels 63 and 64 respectively, engaged respectively by pawls 65 and 66pivoted to the track beam. The pawls extend inwardly over the ratchetwheels so that as a vehicle enters the tracks from one end, the rollerswill be prevented from turning to enable the vehicle drive wheels toassume position on the rollers, the drive wheels being then reversed andthe shaft 52 driven to operate the turning mechanism. After the tablehas been turned to the position desired the drive wheels are a ain setfor forward rotation and the ve-v hicle can be driven from the table,the pawls again blocking the rollers. To increase the friction, therollers can have roughened or corrugated surfaces as shown in Fig. 8.

As the brackets 37 and gears 42,43,48 and 51 extend some distance belowthe table track beams, an annular pit p is preferably provided for theiraccommodation. In Figs. 4 and 5 a modified arrangement is shown whichallows all the driving members to remain over the floor level, pulleyand belt transmission being provided instead of gearing. The lowerstationary bearing member 25 has belt grooves 67 and 68 instead ofteeth, and beams 36 pivot pulleys 69 and 70, while shafts 52 carrypulleys 71, belts 72 connecting between main member 25 and pulleys 69,and belts 73 connecting pulleys with pulleys 71.

The incline ends of the track beams may be in the form of pans 74pivoted to the track beam ends. These pans can also be utilized toprevent the vehicle from prematurely leaving the table. As shown, thepans at each end of the table are secured to a rod 75 journaled at thebeam ends and having at one end an arm 76, the arms connecting by rods77 with a central lever 78. Swing of this lever in one direction lowersthe pans at one end and raises the pans at the other end of the table sothat the vehicle may enter at one end but is prevented from leaving thetable until the raised pans are lowered. A frame 79 having lockingnotches 80 for the lever may be provided.

I thus provide turntable mechanism which is simple and compact and whichcan be readily transported and set up' for operation.

I do not desire to be limited to the embodiments of my invention which Ihave shown and described as modifications are possible which would stillcome within the scope of my invention and I therefore claim thefollowing:

1. In a turntable the combination of two parallel channel beams forminvtracks, cross bars and braces connecting between said beams, an annulussecured to said beams concentric with a pivot center, casters on theunderside of said annulus, a stationary pivot block engaging with one ofsaid bars at the pivot center, and a track for said casters.

2. In a turn table, a track structure having two track beams, means formounting said structure to be rotatable about a )ivot center, frictionrollers pivoted to and extending through said track beams to be engagedby the drive wheels of a power driven vehicle and to be rotated thereby,and transmission mechanism for translating rotation of said frictionrollers into bodily rotation of the track structure about said pivotcenter.

3. In a turntable, the combination of a only in one direction.

4. In a turntable, the combination of a superstructure pivoted at itscenter and comprising track beams, friction rollers pivoted to saidsuperstructure and projecting through said track beams to be engaged bythe drive wheels of a power driven vehicle to be rotated thereby,transmission mechanism for translating rotation of said friction rollersinto bodily rotation of the superstructure about its pivot, and pawl andratchet mechanism for allowing rotation of said friction rollers only inone direction.

5. In a turntable, the combination of a pivoted track superstructurecomprising track beams, drive pinions pivoted on said superstructure, astationary gear concentric with the pivot center of said superstructureand engaged by said pinions, friction rollers pivoted on said trackbeams and projecting beyond the upper surface thereof to be engaged bythe drive wheels of a power driven vehicle supported on said structure,and transmission mechanism between said rollers and pinions, rotation ofsaid pinions causing travel thereof about said stationary gear andbodily rotation of the superstructure about its pivot center.

6. In aturntable, the combination of track beams and connecting membersforming a superstructure adapted for receiving a vehicle and pivoted torotate about a central point, a stationary pivot support for saidsuperstructure, rollers pivoted on said superstructure and extendingthrough said. track beams to be engaged by the drive wheelsof a powerdriven vehicle supported on said superstructure, and transmissionmechanism carried by said superstructure and connecting between saidrollers and said stationary pivot support whereby rotation of saidrollers will result in bodily rotation of said superstructure about itspivot center.

7. In a turn table, the combination of a pivoted track structure,approach inclines pivoted to said structure, at its ends, and means forraisin the inclines at one end and for simultaneously lowering theinclines at the other end of the structure.

8. In a turn table, the combination of a stationary pivot support, atrack structure pivoted on said support, approach inclines pivoted tothe ends of said track structure, and a lever connecting with saidinclines whereby said inclines may beswung to engage the fioor at oneend and to assume an upright position at the other end.

9. In a turn table, the combination of a track structure having twotrack beams, astationary support to which said structure is centrallypivoted, approach inclines pivoted to the ends of the track beams, andmeans for swinging the inclines at one end of the beams to the floor toallow a vehicle to enter the tracks and for simultaneously raising theinclines at the other end of the beams to prevent premature escape ofthe vehicle from said tracks.

10. In a turn table, the combination of a stationary pivot frame, atrack structure pivoted at a central point to said frame and adapted tosupport vehicles to be turned therewith, friction rollers positioned tobe engaged and to be rotated by drive wheels of said vehicle,transmission mechanism for transmitting rotation of said friction wheelsto said track structure to cause bodily turning thereof about its pivot,and means for holding the drive Wheels in engagement with the frictionrollers during rotation of said rollers by said wheels.

11. In a turn table the combination of a track structure for receiving avehicle to be turned, a stationary pivot support for said structureabout which it may bodily rotate, a pair of friction rollers projectingbeyond the top of said track structure for engaging with a drive wheelof said vehicle, and trans mission mechanism connect-ing one of saidrollers with the track structure whereby rotation of said roller by saidWheel will result in bodily rotation of said track structure.

12. In a turn table the combination of a track structure for receiving avehicle to be turned, a stationary pivot support for said structureabout which it may bodily rotate, a pair of friction rollers projectingbeyond the top of. said track structure for engaging with a drive wheelof said vehicle, transmission mechanism connecting one of said rollerswith the track structure whereby rotation of said roller by said wheelwill re sult in bodily rotation of said track structure, and means forlimiting said rollers to rotation in only one direction.

13. In a turn table, the combination of a stationary member having afiat rim, a similar member rotatably pivoted concentrically on saidstationary member, a track superstructure carried on said rotatablemember, friction rollers pivoted to the track superstructure to receiveand to be driven by the power driven wheels of a vehicle, andtransmission mechanism carried by the superstructure and connectingbetween the friction rollers and said stationary member to translaterotation of the rollers into rotation of said rotatable member and tracksuperstructure carried thereby.

14. In a turntable, a stationary supporting member having a fiat annularrim, a rotatable member having a flat annular rim, a ball bearinginterposed between said rims, a track superstructure carried by saidrotatable member, friction rollers pivoted on said superstructure inposition to receive and to be driven by the wheels of a power drivenvehicle, and a transmission train connecting between said rollers andsaid stationary member to translate rotation of said rollers intorotation of the rotatable member and the track superstructure with thevehicle thereon.

15. In a turn table, an annular supporting rim, a rotatable annular rimpivoted at the center of said supporting rim, a ball bearing between therims, track beams carried by the rotatable member, friction rollerspivoted. on said beams for receiving and being driven by wheels of apower driven vehicle, and transmission trains connecting said rollerswith said supporting member to transmit rotation of the rollers to saidrotatable rim and track structure thereon.

16. In a turn table, the combination of a pivoted track structure,inclines pivoted to the ends of said structure, a lever, and linksconnecting said lever with the inclines, rotation of said lever causingupward swing of the inclines at one end and downward swing of theinclines at the other end of the structure.

In witness whereof, I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

LOUIS J. SLEPH.

WVitnesses (l. S. PiNEs, R. BARRON.

